Electronic stethoscope

Abstract

An electronic stethoscope is disclosed having a palm sized electronic component case with operating switches provided on opposite sides of the case for ease of operation. The stethoscope includes a pickup head coupled to an electronic microphone by means of a flexible tubular acoustic member. A battery powered amplifier and filter circuit is provided within the component case and the amplified and filtered output of the microphone is coupled to a miniature speaker sealed within an airtight container within the case. A rotatable tubular member having radial apertures therein is coupled through the sealed container and out each side of the component case. A binaural headpiece is acoustically coupled to each end of the rotatable member and is thus free to rotate with respect to the case, allowing the stethoscope to fold for storage. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, electronic timing means are provided for automatically removing electrical power from than amplifier circuit after a predetermined period of time and for generating an audible tone at preselected intervals for pulse rate measurement.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic stethoscope comprising: an electronic component case for encompassing electronic components in circuitry;   a pickup head;   a microphone;   a first tubular acoustic member coupling said pickup head and said microphone;   a binaural headpiece;   a speaker mounted within said electronic component case;   an amplifier circuit having its input coupled to said microphone and its output coupled to said speaker;   a rotatable tubular member disposed adjacent to said speaker and extending out through each side of said electronic component case for coupling the output of said speaker out of said electronic component case; and   means coupling said binaural headpiece to said rotatable tubular member whereby said binaural headpiece may be rotated with respect to said electronic component case for ease in storage of said electronic stethoscope.   
     
     
       2. The electronic stethoscope according to claim 1 further including switch means for applying electrical power to said amplifier circuit in response to operation thereof. 
     
     
       3. The electronic stethoscope according to claim 1 further including timer means for removing electrical power from said amplifier circuit after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. 
     
     
       4. The electronic stethoscope according to claim 1 wherein said rotatable tubular member comprises a hollow metallic cylinder having radial apertures in the body thereof. 
     
     
       5. The electronic stethoscope according to claim 1 wherein said electronic component case is rectangular in shape. 
     
     
       6. An electronic stethoscope according to claim 1 wherein said electronic component case includes a first switch means for applying electric power to said amplifier circuit in response to operation thereof and said second switch means for varying the amplification of said amplifier circuit said first and second switch means disposed on opposing sides of said case whereby said first and second switch means may be operated by the thumb and fingers of an individual grasping said case. 
     
     
       7. The electronic stethoscope according to claim 6 wherein said second switch means comprises a slide switch. 
     
     
       8. The electronic stethoscope according to claim 6 further including a third switch means for removing electrical power from said amplifier circuit in response to operation thereof, said third switch means disposed adjacent to said first switch means for finger control.